Heating System Tune-Up: What You Need to Know

December 13, 2017
By
1st Choice Air Solutions

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The middle of winter is the worst time for your home’s heating system
to break down, so smart homeowners avoid the inconvenience of waiting
in a freezing house for the repairman to show by scheduling a heating
service tune-up before the temperature drops.

A tune-up of your heating system before cold weather sets in doesn’t
only save money on energy bills, it also keeps the system working efficiently
and your home warm all winter long.

Benefits of a Heating System Tune-Up

A heating tune-up during fall reduces winter energy bills, lowers the risk
of expensive, inconvenient breakdown repairs and gives homeowners peace
of mind. A heating equipment service can lower your utility bills up to
10 percent. What’s more, a
heating service specialist can balance a heating system so that all areas of the home are comfortably
warm. Another benefit of maintenance for a heating system before cold
weather sets in is that homeowners can schedule their service for when
it’s most convenient and avoid an emergency appointment.

Environmental Benefits

Regular maintenance of a heating system increases its longevity, reduces
repairs over its lifetime and minimizes environmental pollutants. A heating
tune-up every fall helps the system last longer. Gas furnaces should be
checked every year. By scheduling regular services, homeowners cut the
amount of smoke, carbon dioxide and other air pollutants that escape into
the atmosphere.

When to Schedule a Heating Tune-Up

A heating system doesn’t have to be on its last leg before it’s
time to schedule a maintenance visit. The best time to book a heating
service is before the system is showing problems. Many homeowners choose
to schedule a fall maintenance visit so that their heating system is working
efficiently when they most need it.

Banging, popping, squealing, rattling or other strange noises from a furnace
likely mean it requires a service and perhaps a repair. If the flame burns
yellow and not blue, this may also be a sign that a maintenance visit
is overdue.

Heater Maintenance

Although homeowners can help maintain their heating systems by performing
some simple tasks, only a trained professional contractor can give the
system a thorough tune-up. ENERGY STAR recommends a few tasks for homeowners
like checking that the thermostat turns off and on at the correct temperatures,
inspecting the flue for disconnections or signs of rust and checking that
the condensate drain isn’t blocked. The EPA also suggests that homeowners
ask a contractor to show them how to change their system’s air filter.

However, a full maintenance service and tune-up involve many more steps
than the layperson can perform. A heating tune-up includes 18 or more
tasks, such as cleaning and checking burners, heat exchanger and flame
sensors, checking the flue, gas valve, ignition and igniter assemblies
and checking the gas pressure at the inlet and outlet. What’s more,
a heating technician can perform safety checks like a carbon monoxide
test, gas leak checks and a visual inspection of the flue, furnace and
duct for clearance from combustible materials.

Heating System Upgrades

A heating tune-up can reveal if a system is due for an upgrade. The lifetime
of a furnace is around 15 years. Scheduling a tune-up for your home’s
heating system only takes a few minutes but can help provide a whole winter
free of worry that your home might turn into an icebox with no warning.

Contact an
HVAC company, to maximize the efficiency of your system and save you money on energy
bills and repairs. After a maintenance visit, you can rest assured that
your heating system is safe, cost-effective and reliable.